Practical EHS Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
Congressional authorization and funding for the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program is once again nearing expiration. That means there will almost certainly be a new authorizing law carrying a fresh set of program amendments. While there is no meaningful opposition to the CFATS as a whole, there is also […]
On January 18, 2019, one day after the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards program (CFATS) was scheduled to expire, President Trump signed a bill that provided the program 15 months of new funding. News of the extension provides an opportunity to review one of the more unusual aspects of the CFATS […]
Dangerous chemicals necessitate adequate security to mitigate risks. If you are a facility with a chemical designated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a chemical of interest (COI), you may only have 60 days after taking possession of the COI to initiate a security screening process under the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards […]
After years of sputtering progress, the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program is beginning to resemble a well-run, if not yet mature, government-industry undertaking.
From road rage to mass violence, the headlines are filled with news of terrifying shooting incidents. When is the last time you talked with your employees about what to do if the unthinkable happens?
Chemical accidents involving ammonium nitrate are rare, but have the potential for significant property destruction, injury and death. Although the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) all have regulations in place, they apparently are not adequate to prevent accidents or ensure emergency response is prepared. […]
What we know about ammonium nitrate is that it is commonly used both for fertilizer in agriculture and for explosives in mining and other industries, and that significant quantities of the chemical are stored throughout the country. What we do not know is exactly how much ammonium nitrate is in storage and where this storage […]
